17-01 Approved Commission Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 4, 2017
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Guy Mueller, Meredith Torres-Walsh,
Mark Novak and Andy Leipold. Also present were Scott Berggren, Brad Fortin and John Elholm
from the city staff; and Olga Parsons from the City Council.
There was no public comment
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the December minutes; Mr. Mueller seconded the
motion. The minutes for December were approved as written
Chair Mueller gave the chairperson report. He conducted introductions, including a welcome to
the newest Commission member Andy Leipold. Mr. Mueller also expressed his excitement to
be leading the Commission for 2017.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on the park system master plans. He gave a brief synopsis of the
process to the new Commission Members. Over the last month we have been gathering
information for our consultant, WSB, as it relates to the plan. There was a discussion in regard
to MySidewalk, which is an online engagement and demographics tool that will be used
throughout the parks system master plan process. Mr. Elholm stated that staff would be
meeting with WSB in early January to create stakeholder groups and discuss outreach.
Outreach is set to begin early in February.
Mr. Elholm gave a brief overview on park signage. The majority of the discussion on this topic
happened during the December meeting. Park signage will be addressed in the parks system
master plan.
Mr. Elholm led a discussion about the 2017 work plan for the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the 2017 work plan; Ms. Torres-Walsh seconded the
motion. The 2017 work plan was approved as written
The commission also inquired about having a City bus tour for 2017. Staff will look into that
item and bring back options to the February meeting.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 4, 2017
Ms. Parsons gave the Council Report. She discussed the highlights from the previous night’s
Crystal City Council Meeting, which included the purchasing of new vehicles for our Public
Works and Parks Department. Ms. Parsons also promoted the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
bowling fundraiser being held on January 29.
Mr. Mueller gave a Crystal Fund report which included a brief description of the Crystal Fund
group. The Crystal Fund meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Crystal Community
Center. Their next fundraising project will be a plant sale; to be held on Saturday, May 20.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both made reference to information reported in the commission packet.
In Community Reports, Ms. Haney discussed the Halfway Happy Hour hosted by the Light of
Crystal on January 15 at Buffalo Wild Wings. She also referenced the next Crystal Frolics
meeting which will take place on January 16 at the VFW.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Novak seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 1 at 7:00 pm – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder